“I’m just...” Hesitation. “You’ll be right here?”
“Less than five minutes now. Don’t be afraid. Walt’s downstairs.”
“Right.”
“Hanging up now.”
We disconnect, and my teeth clench. This is the break we’ve been waiting for. If this asshole was stupid enough to send mail to my condo, we can track it all the way back to his doorstep. Shit! Snatching up the phone again, I call Star right back.
“What is it!” Her voice is a gasp.
“Everything’s fine,” I say, trying to ease her back down. “Don’t throw away the envelope. Don’t touch it any more than you have to.”
“I left it in your condo!” she cries.
God dammit. Keeping my voice calm. “We’ve got to have that envelope, Star. I’ll stay on the phone with you. Go back across the hall and get it.”
“Hang on... Cammie, stay with Aunt Mare Mare. I’ll be right back.” Door opens, door closes, noise of frantic movement... more frantic movement... I’m gripping the steering wheel as I wait. Finally, a loud exhale of relief. “It’s here! I have it.”
“Pick it up carefully by the edges and put it in a plastic bag.” I’m pulling into the parking garage. “I’m in the building. I’ll be up in less than a minute.”
We disconnect, and my next call is to the office.
* * *
Stuart has the closure flap on the envelope and the stamp in his hands, and frustration lines his brow. “They’re all stickers. None of this requires saliva.”
“So whoever it is knows better than to leave behind traces of DNA.”
We both sit back and stare at the brown envelope and the white sheet of paper. I pick up the letter and read it again.
Ms. Durango,
The time has come, the walrus said, for us to end our game. You’ve done everything exactly as I expected. Give these instructions to the Big Guy:
Meet me at the Palomino Bar, martini room, tonight at nine. I’ll be the one with the Gibson and the gat. If he brings any helpers, my accomplice will turn your photograph, your underwear, and your exact location over to the MSPD.
I look forward to our meeting.
Signed,
A Friend
Tossing the paper back on the table, I exhale and stand. “Fuck it. I’ll meet him tonight, and I’ll go alone. I’m not worried about any of this. I’m ready to unmask this asshole.”
Stuart’s eyes flick to the clock then back to me. “That gives us two hours to work out a Plan B.”
“I don’t need a Plan B. We’ll follow his Plan A. I’ve handled rats like this before. I’m happy to do it again.”
“At least wear my Kevlar.” He heads to the master bedroom, and I wait, turning his instructions over in my mind. An accomplice.
Star has Cammie in the living room, and we decided they should stay with Stuart and Mariska the rest of the night in case it’s a setup.
My partner’s back with his black vest in hand. “The perfect double-cross would be to pretend he’s after you in order to pull us all away from covering her. Or to lead you out in the open alone.”
“You read my mind, partner.” I pull my black sweater over my head and take the vest from him. Once it’s securely fastened, I restore my top layer and add a lightweight grey blazer.
“I’d feel better having you covered.” Stuart hands me a small pistol I slip in my boot. “I don’t need a gun to end this.”